The witches of south Minneapolis offer a haven for spiritualism

Are you in need of healing stones, Tarot cards, or Wiccan guidebooks? Do you want to take part in a seance or have your future told? Do you need to find out about mystical spiritual traditions that fall outside the Judeo-Christian paradigm? Well, you’re in luck if you happen to live in south Minneapolis.

South-side neighborhoods have got all your witchy and metaphysical needs covered. Eye of Horus, which recently moved to Lake Street and Bryant, has a wealth of resources for people interested in Pagan and Wiccan traditions. Smitten Kitchen has Tarot-related events, while Steamship Coffee hosts Magic: The Gathering sessions in addition to other games that have Tarot elements.

Near Lyn-Lake is ZRS Fossils and Gifts. While it isn't witch-oriented, it has every kind of stone you might need, usually for a little bit cheaper than the specialty shops.

Local Tarot reader Cassandra Snow, who does readings and events at both Eye of Horus and the Future in Powderhorn, believes the Twin Cities have always had a strong witch community.

“But it’s changing a lot in [these days] ways that are mostly good,” she says.

There’s a bit of an old and new guard on the Twin Cities scene. The new guard, she says, is a little bit louder. “Like sexual or gender identity, millennial witches are not willing to be quiet about their spiritual identity,” says Snow.

Social media has played an important role in connecting people. In addition to Facebook groups, Snow says she meets other Tarot enthusiasts on Instagram and Twitter. Even though spirituality is personal, community is important too. “I think we need that to know there are people that feel the same way,” she says.

Snow says that there are a few covens in town, as well as more loosely defined communities. “I have a group of friends that gather together on certain days,” she says.

The grandfather of local metaphysical shops, Present Moment, on 36th and Grand, has a big selection of herbal extracts, alternative medicine, New Age literature, and supplies. Just to the east in Powderhorn, the Future, a witchy shop and spiritualism center, doubles as an arts residency space.

Lacey Prpić Hedtke, owner of the Future, says one of the reasons she opened the shop was to help build community interested in spiritualism and other witchy endeavors that was also especially inclusive to women, queer, and trans folks.

“It’s [already] feeling like a community center,” she says. “People can shop and hang out at the library.”

The Future has 70 different rare tarot decks on loan. Hedtke says people often come in to get inspiration. They’ve also hosted workshops, talks, and dinners where people can meet each other. “They don’t have to identify as witches,” she says. “They can be weirdos or artists or whatever their practice is.”

There seems to be a hunger for this type community, one that offers “a place to hang out and meet people," says Hedtke. "It’s not about buying stuff, and it’s not about drinking.”

South Minneapolis isn't the only area with witchy shops. Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts can be found near the Twins stadium. In addition to Eastern medicine and massage, they offer Tarot readings.

Magus Books and Herbs is planning a move to northeast Minneapolis next month, after spending more than a decade at its Dinkytown location. While they stock plenty of Wiccan and Pagan items, there's also literature and supplies from spiritual traditions all over the world.

Mela Amara, co-owner and manager at Magus Books and Herbs, says they are moving in part because of the need for expansion. “We are absolutely bursting out of the seams here, and have been since 2013,” she says.

Amara characterizes the shop as specializing in the metaphysical, but they have a wide variety of offerings, and work toward being multicultural. “We don’t try to lead a person down a path in any particular way,” she says.

Like some of the other shops, Magus hosts classes and offers services in addition to retail. They also hold space for other groups. For example, there was a Satanic bake sale held at the store recently, hosted by a national group fighting for equal space on government property.

Magus has been around since 1992, and they have big plans for their new space. They don’t have a date for their official re-opening, yet, but watch for it soon.

Meanwhile, the Future kicks off its Psychic Tarot Workshop tonight, led by Nancy Antenucci. Other events to keep on your radar include festivals like Pagan Pride and Paganicom, and even the Renaissance Festival offers opportunities for people to meet others with similar interests.